In July I burried my 15 year old yellow lab. I took her to our summer place on an island in Maine and dug a very deep hole. I didn't put her in anything just layed her down in the deep and wide hole.

It was comforting to know that she is burried without anything that wont degrade over time. It got me thinking that might be the way I would want to be burried.

I mean think about it. They pump you up with all that toxic crap and what good does it really do. Its gotta leach back into the soil and eventually back into our water supply or somewhere.... I think a green burial might be a good thing.

I'd rather rot away to dirt rather than be placed in a velvet lined, mostly plastic casket then set inside a cement box and burried barely three feet below the ground. C'mon that thought discusts me.

Dig a hole, curl me up in it like my dog and throw the dirt on top of me. Who knows maybe I'll be the nutrient that grows your tomatos one summer. What a tasty tomato I'd make.

Lew Barrett

11-30-2008, 10:26 PM

I mean think about it. They pump you up with all that toxic crap and what good does it really do. Its gotta leach back into the soil and eventually back into our water supply or somewhere.... I think a green burial might be a good thing.

Not if you have a traditional Jewish (or Islamic) funeral. No embalming allowed.

rddrappo

11-30-2008, 10:28 PM

Yeah, I'm not into the whole expensive casket, pricy service thing either. Heck, a burial at sea would be just fine by me.

Shang

11-30-2008, 10:43 PM

How about a Viking Funeral...?
Lay you out on the boat,
set fire to the sucker
and send it adrift to the west...

'Course that's kind of rough on the boat owners who happen to be anchored to the west of you...

goodbasil

11-30-2008, 10:54 PM

I agree. When I've had to bury a dog or cat it's always remove plastic And metal tags, maybe wrap in a sheet or place in a wooden box and that's it.
Same when I go. Don't be sinking a load of cash into me. Just make sure I'm dead and throw me off the Vancouver/Victoria ferry. ($11.25 for a ticket.)

Flying Orca

11-30-2008, 10:55 PM

Make sure you wear running shoes so your feet float. ;)

Shang

11-30-2008, 11:00 PM

But seriously...
I went through this less than a year ago...
Google-search "Memorial Societies."
There are ways of approaching this aspect of life that are respectful, practical, and don't feed into the funeral-industry that takes advantage of grieving families.

Next Spring I will scatter my late wile's ashes at the woodland site of the home we built with our own hands... it is now part of a genuinely beautiful Forever Wild state park. Her sister, and many of the people who loved her will be there. There will be tears, but there will be joy and remembrance of times of happiness.

oldsub86

11-30-2008, 11:59 PM

How about a Viking Funeral...?
Lay you out on the boat,
set fire to the sucker
and send it adrift to the west...

'Course that's kind of rough on the boat owners who happen to be anchored to the west of you...

And smells awful if you have a plastic boat!

Randy

The Bigfella

12-01-2008, 12:13 AM

.. and of course our government (at the insistence of the union, IIRC) insists that you DO go in a plastic bag. It was all to do with concerns over infectious disease control back when AIDS was first discovered. The union originally wanted every death to be treated as an infectious case unless certified otherwise - bright yellow body bags, Danger tags, etc.

The general US trend for embalming - and the avoidance of cremation - is rather odd though. We tend to use refrigeration of corpses until the funeral here to achieve the same basic end. The whole "no degradation" thing is bordering on sick if you ask me...... ashes to ashes, dust to dust suits me fine...

rddrappo

12-01-2008, 12:27 AM

How about a Viking Funeral...?
Lay you out on the boat,
set fire to the sucker
and send it adrift to the west...

'Course that's kind of rough on the boat owners who happen to be anchored to the west of you...

Nah, I'd rather leave the boat for someone else to enjoy. Especially if I built it myself. That can be my little way of living on.

Captain Blight

12-01-2008, 01:03 AM

You wouldn't think a book about cadavers (http://www.amazon.com/Stiff-Curious-Lives-Human-Cadavers/dp/0393050939) would be at once howlingly funny and delicately insightful, but this one is. I'm probably going to donate my corpulent corpus for medical experiments; YMMV.

Ron Williamson

12-01-2008, 06:09 AM

They're working on something just down the road.

http://blog.teledyn.com/node/2565
R

Phillip Allen

12-01-2008, 06:14 AM

my ideal would be to feed the hag fish

Anthony Zucker

12-01-2008, 06:30 AM

We've decided to give our bodies to the university medical school.
This makes it easier on family who may congregate later. It is certainly less expensive, environmentally much more rational.
Formal religions havent yet accepted this approach but they are always late.

Tinman

12-02-2008, 12:16 AM

In Ontario, all human burials are in a cement vault. no chance of leaching. As for dogs/cats horses and the like, it's get out the back hoe, dig a hole and that is it. But realistically, when it is my time I won't be too worried about what kind of chemicals they use, or how big the hole is. I'll be dead, with far more important things on my mind. Like, howcome it is so damn hot in here, and what is this pitch fork for?

Robmill0605

12-02-2008, 08:35 AM

When my dog Hanna passed away, I thought about burying her in my backyard. Then I decided that I could not bear the thought of leaving her behind if we ever sold the house, so I built a wood coffin for her that night and I had her privatley cremated. I have her ashes in a beautufiul wooden box, and when I go, she will be going with me.
I already told my wife that I do not want to be embalmed or displayed, just cremate me immediatelty, put me in Hanna's box and I will be fine.

James McMullen

12-02-2008, 09:56 AM

If I really get my choice, I'd like to fossilized. . . . . .and then 200 million years from now be the featured exhibit in the Squibbon's Museum of Primitive Prehistoric Lifeforms.

Seriously, wouldn't that be awesome?

BarnacleGrim

12-02-2008, 11:15 AM

I totally agree. Keep it as green and simple as possible. Once life is over, the remains will disintegrate and take on new forms in nature. It shouldn't be preserved, either chemically or even symbolically by putting up a tombstone.

I really don't like graveyards, they seem like some kind of sick exhibits. Burial at sea, or having my ashes spread on distant shores sounds like the right way to go.

Rum_Pirate

12-02-2008, 11:29 AM

Perhaps what you seek is :

http://www.eternalreefs.com/

Q) What is an Eternal Reefs Memorial Reef?
A) An Eternal Reefs Memorial Reef is a designed reef of cast concrete that can include the cremated remains of a loved one. These Memorial Reefs create new marine habitats for fish and other forms of sea life.

Q) Why should I consider Eternal Reefs as a memorial option?
A) We believe the greatest celebration of life is to provide the opportunity for new life, and the living-breathing legacy of a Memorial Reef is a dignified and meaningful environmental memorial for a loved one. As President John F. Kennedy said, "We are tied to the ocean, and when we go back to the sea... we are going back from whence we came."

Q) How do you create a Memorial Reef?
A) We take the cremated remains and mix them into the concrete as the reef is being cast. The reefs then cure for approximately one month. After the curing period we place the Memorial Reefs in the permitted location.

Q) Can I participate in the casting of the Memorial Reef?
A) Absolutely, we have found that being involved in the creation of the Memorial Reef is a very rewarding experience and is an important step in dealing with the loss of a loved. We encourage family and friends to come and be a part of the casting process. Participants mix the remains and pour the concrete into the mold and can place handprints and write messages in the wet concrete.

Q) Can I place more than one set of cremated remains in a Memorial Reef?
A) Yes, our Mariner can accommodate up to four sets of remains and our nautilus can accommodate two sets of remains. There is a charge of $250 for each set of additional remains.

Q) Both my parents want to be together in the same Memorial Reef, how can we do this if they pass away at different times?
A) This is a frequent request and in most cases the family will take a portion of the remains of the first to pass and create a Memorial Reef in their honor to facilitate closure with the loss. The family will hold onto the rest of the remains until the surviving spouse passes away and then will combine both sets of remains into a Memorial Reef where they will be together for eternity.

Q) Can I memorialize my pet in a memorial reef?
A) Yes, our "Pearls are for Pets" program is specifically designed for pets.

Q) Can I have my pets with me in my Memorial Reef?
A) Absolutely, we do this all the time. Generally there is no addition charge to include pets in any of our personal Memorial Reefs. Pets cannot be included in our Sea Oats Community Reef. If there is a large amount of remains or you wish to have a plaque for the pets, there will be an additional charge.

Q) What is the viewing?
A) The day before the scheduled dedication of the reef site families and friends are invited to view the Memorial Reefs before they are placed in the ocean. Visitors take this opportunity to take photographs of the Memorial Reefs and make rubbings of the plaques. We provide sidewalk chalk so you can write messages on the memorials. If someone is due Military Honors for service to our country, the honors are presented at the viewing.

Q) What is the dedication?
A) On the scheduled dedication day, Eternal Reefs has a charter boat to take all the families to the reef site to witness the placement of the Memorial Reefs and to dedicate the site to their loved one. The cost of this charter is the only additional charge from Eternal Reefs and generally costs approximately $75.00 per person. We provide a small "Tribute Reef" for each family and flowers to decorate it. After the Memorial Reefs have all been placed we take the family boat and move it directly over the reef site. Each family is given time to dedicate the site and drop the Tribute Reef as their loved ones name is read. After all the families have dedicated the site Eternal Reefs staff dedicates the site to all the individuals being memorialized and closes the dedication by reading a passage from President John F. Kennedy's speech "The Sea".

Q) What is the placement of the Memorial Reef?
A) On the scheduled day, weather permitting, we will take the Memorial Reefs out to the reef site and place them on the sea floor while the families and friends observe from the family boat. This is a marine construction project and can be delayed by weather, equipment and permitting issues. We cannot guarantee that the Memorial Reefs will be placed the same day we dedicate the reef site, but will make every reasonable effort to do the placement on the same day as the dedication.

Q) How do I arrange for Military Honors?
A) If someone is due his or her Military Honors all we need is a copy of their DD-214 discharge papers and will be glad to handle the arrangements. The arrangements would include acquiring the Honor Flag for the family and arranging for the honor guard to attend the viewing for the Flag folding and presentation to the family.
Learn more

Q) How can I pre-fund my Memorial Reef?
A) Eternal Reefs offers a pre-funding program developed specifically for our families by Complete Financial Group.
Learn more

Q) Can I choose my location in advance?
A) We can't commit to locations in advance. The nature of reef building requires permits to be issued by the Army Corp. of Engineers for specific purposes, materials, tonnage of those materials and time frames. Eternal Reefs only utilizes permitted locations designated for fishing and diving recreational purposes or for habitat development. These permits can both expire and be filled out with the permitted materials, causing them to no longer be available to us. Our commitment is to work with the family at the time of need to identify the most appropriate location for their loved one's Memorial Reef.

Q) Can I have more than one Memorial Reef cast for my loved one?
A) Absolutely, we can include additional Memorial Reefs for the same memorial project. Tell us what you would like to do and we will be glad to customize your portion of the cost of the project.

Q) Can I have a private placement?
A) Depending on the location and the availability of permits we can do this. These are custom projects and need to be reviewed before we can determine the cost. It is important to bear in mind that single Memorial Reefs generally do not provide the environmental impact of multiple reefs in the same location.

Q) Can I put my Memorial Reef with my loved one's Memorial Reef?
A) In some cases we can do this. It is recommended that some of the loved one's ashes be saved so that a communal memorial can be built with ashes from both parties. In many cases all of the memorials can reside in the same general location.

Q) Can we retrieve the Memorial Reef at a later time?
A) No, the Memorial Reefs are donated to the permitted site. The Memorial Reef would not be serving its purpose of improving the ecosystem of the sea if removal was allowed. Before making the decision to memorialize your loved one in a Memorial Reef, everyone should be comfortable with the belief that his or her loved one's legacy will be living on with the creation of a Memorial Reef.

Q) Can I put a Memorial Reef anywhere?
A) No, Memorial Reefs can go only in properly permitted locations that are approved by the Federal, State, and local governments. We work with the families, and the state and local agencies to find the area of most need for the Memorial Reef.
View current dedication locations

Q) How do you choose the locations of Eternal Reef sites?
A) There are several factors that go into how we determine locations. We like to create these Eternal Reef sites in vacation and retirement locations. We want families to have as many opportunities to come back and visit these sites. Locations also generally have the necessary infrastructure of marine equipment, barges, tugs and cranes, that we need along with hotels and restaurants for our families. Permits that meet our requirements must also be available. And, there needs to be sufficient interest in the location so that we can create really meaningful Memorial Reef systems made up of several reef balls to create a real benefit to the environment.

Q) Why build a Memorial Reef?
A) Over the years man has done a great deal of damage to the seas and oceans of our world. Many natural reefs have been destroyed and over fished. Establishing new reefs helps to take the pressure off the natural reef systems and help repair the damage that has been done by mankind. The Memorial Reefs provide a nurturing environment for fish and other forms of sea life that are critical to the environment.

Rum_Pirate

12-02-2008, 11:30 AM

Q) How often do you check on the memorial reefs?
A) We are currently working with our Not-For-Profit partner, The Reef Ball Foundation to establish a schedule and fund the periodic monitoring and documenting of Memorial Reef sites. All profits from the sales of mementos, photography and grief support materials will go to the funding of these monitoring efforts. Please check our website periodically for updates.

Q) How does choosing an Eternal Reef differ from choosing a cremation urn?
A) Frequently families chose a cremation urn thinking of it as a final resting place for a loved ones cremated remains. Sometimes these cremation urns end up on a shelf or in a closet for the next generation to deal with. An Eternal Reef is a permanent memorial that places the cremated remains in the ocean and creates new life as reef habitat for fish, turtles and other forms of sea life.

Q) How is an Eternal Reef different than ash scattering?
A) We frenquently hear from families who can't bring themselves to scatter a loved ones ashes. Many families and individuals want a place to visit when remembering a family member or loved one. Eternal Reefs are located in a specific place known to the family and friends. It provides a living memorial to visit, which does not exist when there is a scattering of ashes.

Q) How will I know where the Memorial Reef is located?
A) With every Memorial Reef the executor of the estate receives two memorial certificates that identify the longitude and latitude of the memorial.

Q) Can I visit the location of the Memorial Reef?
A) Yes, we provide the families with the exact GPS coordinates so they can visit the reef site whenever they wish. You can visit by boat to fish or dive on the Memorial Reef.

Q) Will a Memorial Reef move?
A) With over 400,000 Reef Balls placed worldwide, the Memorial Reef design has a proven track record and has passed every government test for stability. During the devastating hurricane seasons of 1998 and 2004 many of our sites were hit directly by storms and all of our reefs remained in place.

Q) How long will a Memorial Reef last?
A) Memorial Reefs are designed to last over 500 years. We start with a unique concrete formula and add special additives that increase its strength from 3000 PSI to 10,000 PSI. Next we create a special surface texture that encourages growth of various types and sizes of marine life. This sea growth, which quickly covers the Memorial Reef, not only becomes a protective layer on the memorial but also enriches the environment.

Q) What kinds of plaques are available?
A) We only utilize bronze plaques. Bronze holds up to the corrosiveness of seawater and remains intact for centuries. All individual reefs come with a 6" Bronze plaque on which an inscription can be placed.

Q) Can I go through my funeral home to purchase an Eternal Reef?
A) If your funeral home is already a provider you can go directly through them and have them handle the paperwork and send us the remains. If they are not already a provider you can ask them to send us the remains and we will work with them to properly memorialize your loved one.

Songololo

12-02-2008, 11:54 AM

James, you could go for the glacier option like Ítzi the Iceman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96tzi_the_Iceman) - your only problem is that 'healthy' glaciers are in short supply ;) There are of course other options, like the extremely popular peat bog, e.g. Tollund man (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tollund_Man), or the dessicating dryness, as in the Tarim mummies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarim_mummies). For us sailing types, we might prefer the more familiar saline environment ... and find our resting place with the seahorses and starfish!

BarnacleGrim

12-02-2008, 12:06 PM

Absolutely. While cremation won't benefit any scavengers, the Eternal Reefs will promote a lot of new marine life. Which is a very nice thing to think about when grieving for the loss of a loved one.

James McMullen

12-02-2008, 03:04 PM

Songololo, I'm looking for vitrification, not mummification. Glaciers and deserts are out, but bogs eventually become shales and suchlike which could be promising (look up the sediment bed Archaeopterx lithographica was discovered in for a primo example).

Thing is, I can't do this all by myself here, people! Little help in a few years, maybe?

Presuming Ed

12-02-2008, 05:09 PM

Sadly, proper burial at sea is illegal here in the UK. So I'm going to specify a wicker coffin and a woodland burial park (http://www.woodlandburialparks.co.uk/). What better headstone could you get than a tree?